A total of 147 youths ages 2-17 caught 557 fish Saturdayduring Fort Drum’s 15th Annual Youth Fishing Derby, sponsored by the Directorate of Public Works’ Natural Resources Branch at Remington Park. This was the most children who have ever registered for the fishing derby and the third-most fish caught during the derby.

Prizes were awarded for overall largest and most fish caught, as well as the top three places in three age groups for largest and most fish. Each participant was eligible for only one prize. Prizes were donated by AAFES and the Sierra Club. Col. Noel T. Nicolle, Fort Drum garrison commander, presented prizes to the winners.

Saed Krause, 7, caught the overall largest fish at the 15th Annual Fort Drum Fishing Derby. His 18.5-inch largemouth bass was the largest fish ever caught in the history of the derby. Meanwhile, Shane Barker, 9, caught the most fish during the derby with 36. Grand-prize winners received a tackle box with lures and a fishing rod and reel.

In the 6 and younger age group, winner of the largest fish category was Alexa Velazquez with a 13.4-inch brown bullhead. Jeffrey Woolard III and Kate Ruedisueli received fishing rods for second and third place with bullheads that measured 12.9 and 12.7 inches bullheads, respectively. Winners of the most fish category were Remmington Grant, Kimberly Gilmore and Dominque Stoner, respectively. Kimberly Gilmore also placed second in the most fish category in 2010.

In the 7-11 age category, first place went to William Gilmore II with a 17.2-inch largemouth bass, the second-largest fish of the day. Seth McMahon was second with a brown bullhead measuring 12.2 inches, just a fraction longer than a bullhead caught by Nisa Rodriguez, who placed third. Vanessa Berg caught the second-most fish in the derby and most fish in her age group with 35. Tristan Shimp and Kaylin Hendrix finished in second and third place with totals of 29 and 26 fish, respectively.

In the 12-18 age group, bullheads dominated the large fish category, with Andrew Lake catching one measuring 12.3 for first place. Queston Grannis and Justin Lewis claimed second and third place, respectively. McKenzie Cruze caught 22 fish to win first place for her age category, followed by Joshua Wilson and Jordan Hargis with 18 and 13 fish, respectively.

Prizes also were awarded for the longest cast in one of three age groups in a casting contest. Casting contest winner in the 6 and younger age group was Kimberly Gilmore with a cast of 67 feet; Seth McMahon had the longest cast in the 7-10 age category at 103 feet; Keldon Erickson had the longest cast for the 11-14 age group at 101 feet; and William Shimp Jr. had the longest cast in the 15-18 age category and overall longest cast of the contest with a cast of 121 feet.

Remington Pond is a catch-and-release only fishery, and all fish were released back into the pond. The derby was held in conjunction with a free fishing day on all waters on Fort Drum.

The next opportunity to fish without a New York state license on any water body in the state including Fort Drum is June 25-26.

For photos from the fishing derby and information about fishing and other outdoor recreational activities on post and in the region, see Fort Drum’s Fish and Wildlife Management Program web site at www.FortDrum.iSportsman.net.

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